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Craig Conover spoke of Austen Kroll and Salley Carson‘s relationship and Paige DeSorbo on Tuesday’s episode of Watch What Happens Live.
While also sharing whether he was in touch with his ex-girlfriend, Naomie Olindo, 34, revealing how Kyle Cooke, 44, was a better businessman, and reflecting on the bullying he experienced in middle school, the 37-year-old Southern Charm star teased season 12 and more.
“I love [Austen and Salley]. [But] I don’t think it’s healthy, what they’re doing,” Craig said on the October 13 episode of WWHL. “I don’t think it’s a sustainable relationship. I think they are hindering each other from moving forward, and it’s almost like the safety net that they have, but if they try to date other people, no one’s gonna be okay with their relationship now, and so they have to figure that out.”
After noting that Austen, 39, was the biggest child of Southern Charm, Craig reacted to Austen saying him being a traitor on The Traitors would be way too on the nose.
“I told him last night, I was like, ‘What are all these comments that happened when I was gone?’ And he was like, ‘I meant it in the best way, man. It was just a compliment. I’m sure you did great,’” Craig revealed. “And then our other friends are like, ‘I like it better when you’re friends. Just stay friends.’ I was like, ‘We do too. Trust me. We do too.’ So this season we are pals.”
Moving on to Paige, 33, who recently scored a multi-million dollar Giggly Squad deal, Craig said her success was “awesome.”
“Take control of your life, work hard, and stuff like that happens,” he noted. “She’s doing great. Great example of hard work pays off … Everyone should start to take accountability of their own lives, of being like, if I put the work in, it has a chance of working out.”
Regarding his other ex, Naomie, who recently married Billy Haire, Craig confirmed he congratulated her.
“Naomie and I are friends now. Charleston’s a small world,” he explained.
Then, when asked to say three ways Kyle was a better businessman, Craig replied, “I love his hustle right now. He was just on tour for a month. He works a room really well. Kyle, his work ethic is insane.”
Looking back on filming season 12, Craig described it as “a really fun one.”
“We had a lot of fun this year. We brought the fun back, so I hope that comes over … It’s a new part of my life. I was filming an indie movie at the same time in Massachusetts and going back and forth and hearing all the crazy gossip,” he explained.
As for how his co-stars could improve, Craig said Austen should “find a hobby,” Shep Rose, 47, should “find a charity” that will give him “purpose,” and Salley should “work on her relationship with herself.”
He also spoke of Lindsay Hubbard, 40, saying, “Our past doesn’t define our future, so we should focus more on tomorrow, and all move forward instead of harping on anything that we’ve done,” before mentioning West Wilson, 31, stating that he wished West had stayed in better standing with Bravo post-Scamanda.
“He just didn’t participate in a way that I would’ve. Our one rule is you have to share your life, and I think if you’re going to do it, you gotta be open with everything … Be 100 percent in,” he advised.
Also on the live broadcast, Craig opened up about being bullied as a child.
“Seventh grade was bad, middle school stuff,” he shared.
As some may have heard, Craig penned a new book, Patch Work: Bee Brave. Bee Kind. Bee You, in hopes of protecting children from bullies.
“With the book, I thought I was gonna write it for an older kid, like middle school, but we’re trying to prevent the scars now. So instead of treating the scars, we’re trying to basically show kids that the bully is weird for what they’re doing,” he explained. “It’s like, hey, whatever you’re doing right now is weird, but when you’re done you can come play with us. But that’s a you problem. That’s not a me problem.”
Later, on the WWHL: After Show, Craig was asked which of his co-stars he wouldn’t want to do business with.
“Shep and I love each other to death, but we just cannot find a synchronicity. Nothing about us is similar enough where we would be able to work together … so I don’t think Shep and I have anything in the pipeline,” he admitted.
Southern Charm season 12 premieres on Thursday, November 12, at 9/8c on Bravo.